Quality Assurance Program Coordinator

Idaho Milk Products; Jerome (ID); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Idaho Milk Products is seeking a Quality Assurance Program Coordinator for our Ice Cream Plant in Jerome, Idaho. This full-time, day-shift role supports food safety, QA programs, environmental monitoring, and regulatory compliance within the Lab department.

You will work with production, sanitation, maintenance, and QA teams to ensure products meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements while participating in audits and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; related college degree preferred.
• Degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support lab, quality, and food safety functions.
• Assist QA Supervisor in maintaining food safety and quality programs.
• Maintain Environmental Monitoring Program and calibration records.
• Participate in audits and corrective action investigations.
• Support supplier qualification and document control activities.

Skills

Food safety principles

GMP/HACCP knowledge

Laboratory testing procedures

Quality recordkeeping

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

High school diploma/GED

Associate's or Bachelor's in Food Science or related field

HACCP/SQF/PCQI certification (preferred)

Tools

COA review

MS Word/Excel

Job description

• Monday – Friday. Subject to change according to business needs.

Department

Lab

Location

Ice Cream Plant

City

Jerome

State/Territory

Idaho

Reports To

Quality Assurance Supervisor

Employment Status

Full time

FLSA Status

Non-exempt

Shifts

Day Shift

# of openings

1

Schedule

• Monday – Friday. Subject to change according to business needs.

BENEFITS

• We are delighted to offer a comprehensive benefits package that encompasses Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Supplemental Insurance, Vacation, Holiday Pay, Personal Time Off (PTO), and a 401(k) plan with a company match. Eligibility and waiting periods may apply.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Quality Assurance Program Coordinator is a key member of the Ice Cream Plant Quality team. This position is responsible for supporting and maintaining food safety, quality assurance, environmental monitoring, equipment calibration, regulatory compliance, and quality record management programs. The QA Program Coordinator works closely with production, sanitation, maintenance, and quality team members to ensure products consistently meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements.

Essential Functions, Duties And Performance Responsibilities

This individual will assist in the daily needs of the QA Department:

• Providing coverage and support for laboratory, quality, and food safety functions as needed.
• Supporting the QA Supervisor in maintaining compliance with food safety and quality programs.
• Following all company safety policies, GMPs, SSOPs, food safety requirements, and quality procedures.
• Maintaining the Environmental Monitoring Program, including sample collection, documentation, trending, and follow-up activities.
• Performing environmental, ingredient, in-process, and finished product testing as required.
• Monitoring quality systems and program performance and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Maintaining calibration schedules and records for laboratory and quality testing equipment.
• Coordinating preventive maintenance activities for quality and laboratory testing equipment.
• Managing quality, production, sanitation, and laboratory records in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
• Assisting with internal audits and verification activities.
• Participating in customer, regulatory, SQF, FDA, USDA, and third-party audits as required.
• Supporting corrective action investigations, root cause analysis, and verification of effectiveness activities.
• Assisting with GMP, food safety, allergen, and quality-related employee training programs.
• Supporting document control activities, including updates to procedures, forms, and work instructions.
• Verifying compliance with product release requirements and issuing Certificates of Analysis (COAs) as assigned.
• Maintaining confidentiality and integrity of quality and food safety information.
• Communicating food safety, quality, and compliance concerns to plant leadership when identified.
• Participating in department meetings, shift pass-downs, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Promoting a culture of food safety, quality, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, compliance, and product quality.
• Assisting the QA Supervisor with special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Managing the Approved Supplier Program, including supplier approval, ongoing performance monitoring, and maintenance of approved supplier records.
• Reviewing Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and supporting documentation for incoming ingredients to verify compliance with product specifications, food safety requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Collecting, reviewing, and maintaining supplier documentation, including specifications, questionnaires, third-party audit reports, letters of guarantee, allergen statements, and food safety certifications.
• Monitoring supplier performance and quality trends and communicating concerns to the QA Supervisor and supplier representatives when necessary.
• Coordinating supplier approval, requalification, and risk assessment activities in accordance with company food safety and quality programs.
• Verifying that ingredient suppliers and service providers meet company, customer, regulatory, and certification scheme requirements.
• Supporting supplier corrective action requests (SCARs), investigations, and follow-up activities to ensure timely resolution of supplier-related quality and food safety issues.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certifications

• Required: High school diploma/GED or equivalent work-related experience
• Preferred: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Preferred: HACCP, SQF, and PCQI Certification (must acquire certifications within a year if not already certified)

Experience

• 1-3 years of experience in food manufacturing, dairy processing, quality assurance, or laboratory operations preferred.
• Experience supporting food safety and quality systems in a regulated manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience with environmental monitoring, audits, and regulatory compliance activities preferred.
• Demonstrated history of reliability, accountability, and attention to detail.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of food safety, GMP, HACCP, allergen, sanitation, and quality assurance principles.
• Understanding of laboratory testing procedures and equipment operation.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements applicable to food manufacturing.
• Ability to interpret specifications, procedures, and technical documents.
• Understanding of quality management and continuous improvement principles.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently.
• Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other business software.
• Ability to work effectively across departments and build positive working relationships.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a changing startup and growth environment.
• Strong food safety and quality mindset.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time
• Ability to perform tasks requiring manual dexterity, including keyboarding, handling paperwork, and operating office equipment
• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, and reach as required by job duties
• Environmental exposure to warehouses stored at ambient (60-70° F), refrigerated (35° F), and frozen (minus 20° F) temperatures, as well as potential exposure to temperatures at or above 120° F.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for short distances on a regular basis.
• Subject to up to at least 92db’s
• Lifting: up to 20 lbs. occasionally
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, on a regular basis
• Reaching: Extending hands and arms in any direction
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist occasionally
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities that must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly